CHAPTER VII.
Poise the cause in justice's equal scales,
Whose beam stands sure.
Jane hoped for some favourable change in her condition, or some slight alleviation of it, from the visit of David Wilson, who had just arrived from college, to pass a six-weeks vacation with his family. At first, he seemed to admire his cousin; and partly to gratify a passing fancy, and partly from opposition to his mother and sisters, he treated her with particular attention. Jane was grateful, and returned his kindness with frankness and affection. But she was soon obliged, by the freedom of his manners to treat him with reserve. His pride was wounded, and he joined the family league against her. He was a headstrong youth of seventeen; his passions had been curbed by the authority of his mother, but never tamed; and now that he was beyond her reach, he was continually falling into some excess; almost always in disgrace at college, and never in favour.
Mr. Lloyd was made acquainted with all the embarrassments in Jane's condition, by Mary
